IWMF 2025–2026 Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship for Women Journalists

The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is accepting applications through April 20, 2025.This fellowship provides academic and professional development opportunities for women and nonbinary journalists with a focus on social justice and human rights. The initiative was created to celebrate the legacy of Boston Globe correspondent and IWMF Courage in Journalism Award laureate Elizabeth Neuffer.

Fellows will intern in journalism at The Boston Globe and The New York Times in addition to conducting research at MIT’s Center for International Studies. Candidates must have worked in print, broadcast, or internet media for at least three years. All nationalities are welcome to work as journalists, however non-native English speakers must be proficient in the language.

The Boston Globe correspondent Elizabeth Neuffer, who won the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award in 1998, is honored by the Fellowship. While reporting on the Iraq War, Neuffer died on May 9, 2003. In order to continue Neuffer’s legacy and advance her contributions to the social justice and human rights movements, the IWMF started this program in collaboration with her friends and family.

A Selection Particulars

• Application Deadline: April 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
• Fellow selected: June 2025
• Fellowship begins: February 2026
• Fellow Moves to New York: May 2026
• Fellowship End: July 2026
• Fellowship Duration: February to July 2026 (6 Months)
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Target Group: Journalists focusing on human rights and social justice
• Study Level: Professional development.
• Number of Opportunities: One annually.
• Program Language: English.
• Host Country: United States (MIT in Cambridge, The Boston Globe, and The New York Times in New York City).
• Eligible Countries: All countries
• Eligible Gender: Women, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
• Target Group: Journalists with a focus on human rights and social justice journalism.

Benefits of the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship

The internship will provide the following benefits:

• A monthly allowance to pay for living costs.
• Completely covered housing in New York City and Cambridge.
• Economy round-trip airfare between program cities and from the fellow’s home to the United States.
• Health coverage for the fellowship’s term.
• Access to Harvard and MIT seminars, events, and courses
  Internship placements at The Boston Globe and The New York Times.
• Opportunity to publish work under their byline.

  Apply Also: 2025 EPFL Excellence Fellowship for International Master’s Students in Switzerland.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Journalists that identify as female, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming are welcome to apply.
• Experience working as a professional journalist for at least three years is required; internships and student work are not accepted.
• Journalists from any nation are welcome.
• English proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing is required.
• Journalists on staff and freelance are both eligible to apply.
• Candidates must use Submittable to self-nominate.

Application Requirements for Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship 

The following information will be included in a complete application:

1. Biography.
2. Current CV or resume.
3. A statement of interest that responds to particular queries.
4. Explanation of the fellowship’s objectives.
5. Two examples of work that address social justice or human rights (with translations if not in English).
6. Two recommendation letters (in English).

Application Review

The application process highlights are as follows:

• IWMF and a selection committee made up of Elizabeth Neuffer’s friends and family evaluate applications.
• Evaluation of the candidate’s journalistic accomplishments, influence, and compatibility with the fellowship’s goals
• The candidates will be interviewed by the selection committee and IWMF.
• In June 2025, the chosen fellow will be revealed.

How to Apply The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship?

1. Go to the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship application page on the IWMF website.
2. Examine the FAQs and application guidelines carefully.
3. Make sure the necessary paperwork satisfies the requirements.
4. Fill out the online application, carefully considering each question.
5. Before the deadline of April 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST, submit your application.
6. Await the announcement of the final decision by the end of June 2025.

Apply Now

For further information about the WMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, check the FAQ or visit IWMF’s website.

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